The San Diego County District Attorney's Office has issued an alarming public safety warning on the rise of DUIs associated with nitrous oxide use. This comes after the DA's DUI Homicide Team recorded an increase in fatal accidents linked to the substance since October 2024. According to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, inhaling nitrous oxide, known on the street as "whippets," cuts off oxygen to the brain, inducing a euphoric high.
During 11 months, the local authorities have been forced to take action, filing charges in three fatal cases that suspected or confirmed the use of nitrous oxide. According to District Attorney Summer Stephan, this was a notable jump, seeing none in the year before. Known for its fleeting effects, the challenge of nitrous oxide is proving its influence on DUI drivers, with the drug clearing the user's system within a couple of minutes. Arrests involving DUIs have seen approximately one suspected inhalant DUI every other week in San Diego County, as reported by the Sheriff's Crime Lab.
Nitrous oxide, while legal for culinary and automotive uses, as well as medical sedation, is not a federally controlled substance. However, its recreational use is barred in California, with possession with intent to abuse punishable as a misdemeanor under Penal Code 381(b). This misuse has pervaded and been influenced by social media promotion and easily accessible flavored products. The Sheriff of San Diego County, Kelly Martinez, noted in the DA's press release, "This growing trend, particularly among young people, has been driven by social media promotion, easy access to large-volume containers, and flavored products."
In response, cities across California are taking legislative action to combat this issue. Ordinances to restrict or ban the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide are cropping up all over the state. Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Stanton, and Orange County have all enacted preventative measures. Triggered by a tragic event where the mayor's son died in a nitrous oxide-related crash, Rialto was the pioneer in such bans. The DA's office points out that despite these efforts, smoke and vape shops are skirting the law, continuing to offer nitrous oxide cannisters with provocative branding to a predominantly adolescent market.
